IRS Sets 2026 Retirement Benefit and Contribution Limits
On November 13, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced benefit and contribution limits for employer-sponsored retirement plans for the 2025 tax year. The following chart summarizes the 2026 limits, with 2025 limits included for comparison. This information is available on the Benefits & Contribution Limits page in the BA Guide.
| 2026 | 2025 | Code Section | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401(k) Pension Plan | |||
| Maximum annual compensation for calculating employer contributions | $360,000 | $350,000 | IRC §401(a)(17)/404(I) |
| Compensation limit for the definition of highly compensated employees* | W-2 greater than $160,000 in 2025 | W-2 greater than $155,000 in 2024 | IRC §414(q)(1)(B) |
| Maximum annual additions (employer plus all employee contributions) | Lesser of: Total compensation; or $72,000 | Lesser of: Total compensation; or $70,000 | IRC§415(c) |
| Maximum amount of elective deferrals | $24,500 | $23,500 | IRC §402(g)(1) |
| Age 50 and over catch-up contributions | $8,000 | $7,500 | IRC §414(v) |
| FICA taxable wage base (OASDI) | $184,500 | $176,100 | n/a |
| Roth catch-up wage threshold | For 2026: $150,000 in 2025 | For 2025 $145,000 in 2024 | IRC §414(v)(7)(A) |
| Retirement Security Plan | |||
| Maximum annual compensation for calculating benefit accruals | $360,000 | $350,000 | IRC §401(a)(17)/404(I) |
| Maximum annual annuity (payable in life only form of benefit); Adjusted lower for other forms of benefit and for commencement before age 62 | $290,000 | $280,000 | IRC §415(b)(1)(A) |
| Compensation limit for the definition of highly compensated employees* | W-2 greater than $160,000 in 2025 | W-2 greater than $155,000 in 2024 | IRC §414(q)(1)(B) |
*W-2 greater than $160,000 in 2026 will make a person a highly compensated employee for 2027
Full details on the 2026 adjustments are available on the IRS website (see Notice 2025-67). NRECA’s Retirement Security Plan projection calculator will be updated to reflect these 2026 limits for benefit estimates. Contact your NRECA field representative with questions about the contribution limits or other plan features. For questions about 457(b) Plans, contact the NRECA Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Program team at 703.907.6375 or deferredcomp@nreca.coop.